A bathhouse is still creating a sense of community.

 As the number of bathhouses has decreased because bathrooms have come into wide use in each household after the Second World War, Taito City distributes "bathing tickets for seniors" to some people aged 65 or older who live in Taito City. Also, bathhouses can be used for free for two days during "Senior Citizens Day and Week" in September. Customers come to bathhouses as soon as they open, and chat about a variety of topics, including regional events. In this way, communication and cultures in regions have been nurtured. (continued in the lower column)

 In the old days, there were wells in backyards of bathhouses. In the present, many bathhouses have switched to use tap water and gas or heavy oil as fuel when refurbishing the buildings, and the traditional way of using well water and wood for fuel, which could be obtained when houses were demolished, has become obsolete. Since utilization of wells has declined, well water is now abundant and does not dry up. Considering emergency situations, such as in the event of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other disasters, wells and bathhouses can be essential utilities. Also, water in bathhouses' bathtubs can be used as emergency water supplies. Therefore, many bathhouses keep water even after hours of operation.